Sports and the Federal Government
Seems appropriate that since this is Super Bowl Sunday, I should bring my rant here.
My team, the Colts aren’t in the game so all the fun was sucked out of it for me. The only consolation is that if Peyton Manning can’t QB the win, at least his baby brother Eli has a chance.
But, all this is not why I’m here.
Like politics, the details of sports eludes me. I understand the basics of most sports – rugby completely confounds me, but it sure is a blast to watch, and cricket will forever be a mystery. I recognize most of the major players – Brady, Manning, Clemens, and Bonds. But the intricacies of the game will forever be lost on me.
What else is lost on me is why the federal government is getting involved in what are clearly major league conference issues.
This summer former Sen. George Mitchell, after months of congressional hearings, released a 300+ page report on the use of anabolic steroids by professional baseball players. No less than 89 players, from brief career to potential Hall of Famers, were cited in the report as having used this performance enhancing drug.
This week Sen. Arlen Spector (R-PA) has involved himself in what has been called “Spygate” – charges that the 18-0 New England Patriots video taped the New York Jets’ defensive signals at the beginning of the season. Pats’ coach Bill Belichick and the team were fined a combined $750,000, and lost a first-round draft pick.
Spector, in a letter to NFL commissioner Roger Gooddell, said he wants answers to why the Jets evidence was destroyed. I can see another congressional investigation in the offing.
I won’t say that these incidents were acceptable, or just part of the game – they aren’t. What I will say, or ask rather, is do these matters really fall under the jurisdiction of the Federal Government?
Yes, drug use and cheating are detrimental to the integrity of professional sports, to any organized sports. But, Mitchell’s investigation took nearly two years to complete, and reportedly cost more than $20 million. With the “close ranks” attitude of sports, a similar investigation into this latest football scandal could be as protracted and costly. Is this how my hard-earned tax dollars should be used?
Penalties, firings, suspensions, life-long bans, fines and when appropriate jail time, is what should be meted out to the guilty in these incidents. But, do the conferences and commissioners have the authority to hand out these disciplinary actions, or the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?
What am I missing?
hmmm…. do you think arlen is a giants fan or what? i agree with you whole heartedly. i do not condone any of these types of things yet aren’t there more important things with which our elected officials should concern themselves? give me a break!
If the police catch you doing something illegal it is up to them to take action…no matter who you are. How your employer deals with your indicretion though is up to them. Some do random drug testing and if you fail you are fired on the spot. Others give you a 2nd chance or offer rehab. I don’t know of any reputable employer that ignores drug use and allows drug addicts to continue working.
BTW, I have an award for you over at my blog. Hope you like it!
Sexy – Yes you’re right, it is a legal matter, and if laws are broken, criminal or civil penalties should apply. But, where my problems lies is why is any of this a FEDERAL matter, and why is my FEDERAL government involved instead of state or local judiciary? If I get caught using drugs while at work, there won’t be Congressional hearings held to decide my punishment, or investigate how widespread drug use is in my industry, or whether an asterisk should be placed beside my name when listing any awards I may have won. As to reputable employers, how many times have professional athletes been caught using drugs and been given second, third, fourth….. chances?
BTW, thank you so much for the new bloggy flair. I do like!
I have almost blogged this topic so many times. But my girlfriends get a little tired of my sports obsessions! This drives me NUTS!! Really, does Congress have nothing better to do with its time? I can think of a whole slew of things I would rather them focus on. Spygate, let it go, seriously, I think it was dealt with in the appropriate manner. And the steroids, chaps my hide more than anything! It’s over and done with. While I am so disappointed in the amount of players that did juice up, I don’t need to know every single one of their names. I think the rules have been set and we need to move on and just play the game!
amen sister. i don’t get why this is done either.
Working in the “law” field, I have to say it’s this should be a no-brainer but, then again, that’s never mattered before. I always thought that the reason for the NFL (or baseball) commission was to “police their own” (unless they are actually CHARGED with a crime through the court system).
BTW, I was glad to see the “click for breast cancer.” I try to do that every day – it helps so many people just by clicking – even busy Mom’s can do that!